Animal Theology is a 1994 book by the ethicist and theologian Andrew Linzey, published by SCM Press. It examines how Christian theology and ethics relate to the treatment of non-human animals, arguing that traditional doctrines have been overly anthropocentric and that animals should be recognised as part of the moral and spiritual community. Linzey develops a framework based on principles of reverence, responsibility, and rights, applying it to issues such as animal experimentation, hunting, and vegetarianism. The book has been noted by reviewers for its contribution to Christian ethics and animal theology, with some praising its moral vision and others questioning its selective use of biblical sources and its absolutist stance on animal exploitation.
The book is divided into two sections. The first establishes theological principles, discussing key concepts like the intrinsic value of creation and the moral responsibilities humans hold toward animals. Linzey critiques historical perspectives, including those of theologians such as Karl Barth and Thomas Aquinas, which he views as overly anthropocentric. He engages with Albert Schweitzer's idea of Reverence for Life and proposes a theocentric framework where all creatures are valued as part of God's creation.
The second section addresses ethical issues, including animal experimentation, hunting, vegetarianism, and genetic engineering. Linzey examines these practices through a theological lens, questioning their consistency with Christian values such as mercy, stewardship, and justice. He suggests that humans, as part of creation, have a duty to act as caretakers rather than exploiters, reflecting a model of service and compassion.
Reception
The American philosopher Daniel Dombrowski described the book as introducing what Linzey calls the "generosity paradigm", which he considered a valuable concept that Christianity can contribute to the animal rights debate.[1]
Bronislaw Szerszynski criticised Linzey's position on "animal experiments, hunting, meat-eating and genetic engineering", summarising it with the phrase "don’t do it" and describing it as "too absolutist" for not addressing the complexities of the modern moral landscape.[2]
Linzey's book was reviewed from three different perspectives in the Baptist theological journal Review & Expositor: theological, Old Testament and New Testament. Sally Smith Holt described Animal Theology as a "worthwhile endeavor in Christian scholarship", that will nevertheless, "not convince all Christians to become vegetarians".[3] Mark McEntire claims that the Old Testament lacks sufficient content to be a basis of Linzey's generosity ethic.[4] David D. May in his review, drew attention to Linzey's repudiation of elements of the New Testament, stating "special pleading does not do justice to text-segments that would be problematic for an animal theology."[5]
Publication history
Animal Theology was first published by SCM Press in London in 1994.[6] It has since been translated into French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Croatian, and Japanese.[7]
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